A specialist manufacturer, and one of the largest independent aluminium casting companies in the UK that is still family owned, is using AKO Pinch Valves in their foundry.

In the foundry, raw or fully machined aluminium sand castings are manufactured. The silica sand medium grade 80AF is used to make the moulds, that molten aluminium is then poured into, to form the shape of a casting.

AKO UK Pinch Valves assist with this application by changing the direction of the sand and distributing it to the hoppers.

VMC25xx50G30LX
Pinch Valves used within this application:
<< VMC25.03XK.50G.30LX – 1″ VMC model, air operated, alu body, stainless steel BSP threaded sockets, natural rubber sleeve.
VF080.03X.31.30LA – 3″ VF model, air operated, alu body, alu flanges PN10/16 with mild steel bushings, natural rubber sleeve. >>
VF100.03X.31.30LA – 4″ VF model, air operated, alu body, alu flanges PN10/16 with mild steel bushings, natural rubber sleeve. >>
VF080.03X.31.30LA
quick exhaust valve
diverter valve for sand
Diverter Valves for Sand: How they are used

The 1″ pinch valve with stainless steel threaded ends is used as a quick exhaust valve on one of the company’s pneumatic conveying vessels.

The larger 3″ & 4″ diverter valves for sand are used to convey the material in different directions, either opening or closing, depending on which way the engineers would like to convey sand around the foundry. These diverter valves for sand are used to block off the leg of the line which they do not want to send sand down, at which point the other valve is then opened.

During conveying, the valves are either open or closed depending on which branch the sand is being conveyed down.  The foundry open one of the valves to allow sand to travel along a specific pipe, and close the other valve to stop sand going down the other line.

diverter valves for sand foundry
Diverter Valves for Sand Experience

Approximately 300 cycles per day are carried out. This could mean that a diverter valve for sand is open all day, or pressurised closed all day, or both, depending on transportation or delivery requirements to the hoppers.

This casting company have been using pinch valves for over 20 years. Over time, the rubber liners wear out. The liners are ordered as spares and kept on the shelf, and are fitted by the engineers in their workshop.

The manufacturing manager on site said:

“We use other valves here such as ball valves, butterfly valves, and knife gate valves, depending on the specific application. But the AKO Pinch Valves seem to last longer. We would prefer to use the AKO Pinch Valve where we have knife gate valves installed on some of the conveying lines, but they are a little awkward to retrofit the lines, so we tolerate the alternative.”
Read more Case Studies

Experts in Valves for Pneumatic Conveying Sand Vessels

Need a Reliable Valve Solution? We can help! Talk to our sales team today:

Contact Us